Taking effective notes, managing study time and environment, and using study methods like acronyms, flashcards, and study groups are key to studying more effectively. The document provides guidance on the three stages of note taking, establishing a dedicated study place, and specific study techniques including using acronymic sentences, pegwords, loci mapping, and the ASPIRE system to optimize learning. Forming an effective study group requires selecting motivated classmates, setting goals and agendas, and ensuring all members contribute while maintaining a positive environment.

1. “How Can I Study More
Effectively”
Marcus Simmons
Tech Prep Coordinator
Itawamba Community College

3. Taking Notes
All good study techniques
Start with good note taking
Habits. Knowing how to
take good notes will
improve your ability to
study more effectively

4. The Three Stages of Good
Note taking
• Stage 1 – Get ready to take notes (Before
Class)
– Review your notes from previous lessons
– Complete all assignments and readings before
class
– Bring all needed materials to take notes

5. • Stage 2 – Taking notes (During Class)
– Keep your focus on the teacher
– Listen for signal statements like:
• Most importantly
• Remember that…
• Be sure to include….
– Write quickly
• Use abbreviation
• Place a “?” by things you are not sure about

6. • Stage 3 – Rewrite your Notes
– After class rewrite your notes
• Change abbreviations to complete words
• Change symbols into words
• Change shorter sentences to more complete sentences
– Answer any “?” you had in your notes

7. 10 Study Habits of Successful Students
• Try not to do too much studying at one time
• Plan specific times for studying
• Try to study at the same times each day
• Set specific goals for your study time
• Start studying when planned
• Work on the assignments or materials that are the
most difficult first
• Review notes before beginning an assignment
• Eliminate distractions during study time
• Call another student for assistance when needed
• Review schoolwork over the weekends

9. Preparing an Effective Place to Study
• The “Study Place” should always be
available to you
• The “Study Place” should be free from
interruptions
• The “Study Place” should be free from
distractions
• The “Study Place” should have all of the
materials on hand that are needed to study
• The “Study Place” should have a large
enough desk or table
• The “Study Place” should have a large
storage area available
• The “Study Place” should have a
comfortable chair
• The “Study Place” should have enough
light
• The “Study Place” should be kept at a
comfortable temperature

11. Specific Study Methods
There are many methods and techniques
Available to use for studying
You will have to decide which method is best
For you depending on:
-your learning style
-the teaching method used
-the course material to learn
-the type of tests used

13. Using Acronymic Sentences
Using an Acronymic Sentence is a good study method for remembering things
That need to be learn in a specific order.
• Creating an Acronymic Sentence
– Write each piece of information that needs to be
learn in order
– Underline the first letter of each word
– Write a sentence using the words that begin with
the underlined letters
Example: The planets in order are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
Neptune, Pluto
Acronymic Sentence = My Very Earthy Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas

14. Can you create an Acronymic
Sentence to learn the Days of the
Week starting with Sunday?

15. Using Acronyms
Using an Acronym is a good study method for remembering things
That need to be learn in any order.
• Write the facts you need to remember
• Underline the first letter of each fact
• Arrange the first letters to form a word.
• The word can be real or non-sensible if you
can remember and pronounce it
Example: “Homes” is an acronym that can be used to memorize or learn the 5 Great
Lakes; Michigan, Erie, Superior, Ontario, Huron

16. Now can you create an Acronym for
learning these Mississippi Cities:
Tupelo, Shannon, Okolona, Indianola, P
ontotoc, Columbus?

17. Using Pegwords
Pegwords can be used when one needs to remember a number of things like,
Five reasons we should conserve energy. Each pegword is then associate with a
Number corresponding to the number of reasons.
• Think of the fist piece of information to be
remembered
• Think of a pegword for the number one (the
pegword should rhyme with one)
• Create a picture in your mind to associate with
that pegword
• Repeat points 1-3 with each piece of
information you are to remember

18. Examples of Pegwords
Number Word Pegword
One Run
Two Shoe
Three Tree
Four Door
Five Dive
Six Fix
Seven Heaven
Eight Gate
Nine Sign
Ten Hen

19. Example of Pegword use
FIRST
Learning the reasons to preserve the forests:
1. Forests provide food for animals
2. Forests provide shelter for animals
3. Forests provide lumber for building and paper

20. See if you can create a learning
experience using Pegwords for
learning the following in formation:
• The reason why not to smoke
– Smoking creates facial wrinkles
– Smoking is very costly financially
– Smoking can create terrible coughs
– Smoking damages the sense of smell
– Smoking causes bad breath
Remember to find the key words in the reasons first!

21. Using Flashcards
Flashcards are a very useful tool in learning or remembering information such
as: Vocabulary Words and Meanings, Math Formulas, History Facts, and Correct
Spellings or Words.

22. Strategies on how to use Flashcards
• Make Flashcards as you learn to study
– Carry blank cards with you
– Organize your cards in decks by topic or subject
• Use both sides of a Card when appropriate
– Write words on one side and definitions on the other side
– Flip the cards and learn the information both ways
• Use flashcards in several different colors
– Different colors can cue your answers
• Illustrate the cards
– Draw or cut pictures to place on cards
– The more interesting looking the cards, the less bored one
becomes using them

23. • Do not put too much information on any one
card
– Each card should contain only ONE piece if
information to learn
• Always carry your cards with you
– Review your cards often
– If you always have your card, wasted or wait time
can become learning time
• Change the order of the cards frequently
– You need to learn the information, not which card
or answer comes next

24. You can use online flashcards also one
great site is FlashcardExchange.com
With FlashcardExchange.com you can use the flashcards
you create online In a game format or you can print the
cards or print in a study sheet format.
You have to register on the site, but the general services
of the site are free.

25. Using the Loci Method
This is method of remembering items by imagining a place you are very
Familiar with, and associating the item to remember to that location –
Very good for Kinesthetic Learners (motion or movement)
• Imagine yourself walking through a very
familiar location or area (Your Kitchen)
• Associate specific locations and activities with
the items you want to remember
Example: Imagine your kitchen. You want to remember three Presidents. The
Presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Nixon. Now picture
Walking into your Kitchen – Washington is eating cherries at the kitchen table, Jefferson
Is reading at the table, and Nixon is standing with the refrigerator open.

26. The Loci Method is difficult for some
people are not Kinesthetic Learners.
See if you can apply the Kinesthetic
Learning Method to remembering
these famous inventors:
Thomas Edison
Alexander G. Bell
George W. Carver
Benjamin Franklin

27. Using the Image-Name Technique
• This method is very easy and short and used
for remembering people or places.
Example: remembering Jay Leno
by picturing his protruding, large chin.
Can you Think of an example?

28. Using the ASPIRE System
• A – Approach/Attitude/Arrange
– Approach your studies with a positive attitude
– Arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions
• S – Select/Survey/Study
– Select a reasonable chunk of material to study
– Survey the headings, graphics, pre and post- questions
– Study marking any information you do not understand
• P – Put aside/Piece together
– Put aside your books and notes
– Piece together what you have study and try to
summarize that information yourself

29. • I – Inspect/Investigate/Inquire
– Inspect what you did not understand
– Investigate all available sources of information
(textbooks, online, dictionary…)
– Inquire from support professionals
(Librarians, tutors, teachers, …)
• R – Reconsider/reflect/Relay
– Reconsider the content; what questions would you ask the
author
– Reflect on the material; how can I apply this material
– Relay understanding; how would I make this information more
interesting or easier to understand to other students
• E – Evaluate/Examine/Explore
– Evaluate your grades on tests and assignments and look for
patterns or weaknesses
– Examine you progress on improving weak areas
– Explore options for you with teachers, tutors, other students

30. Using Study Groups
Study Groups can be very beneficial in some situations.
There are Several things to consider when thinking about
using Study Groups:
1. Benefits of a Study Group
2. Starting a Study Group
3. Characteristics of a Good Study Group
4. Pitfalls of Study Groups

31. Benefits of a Study Group
• A support group can be a motivator
• Easier to ask classmates questions
• Your commitment might be stronger because the group depends on
all members
• Study groups add a strong auditory aspect to your learning
experience
• One or more group member is likely to understand something that
you do not
• You can learn new study techniques or habit from other members
• You can compare your notes with other students
• Teaching or explaining concepts to other group members will
reinforce your learning
• Face it! Studying can be boring. Study with others can make the
studying more enjoyable

32. Getting a Study Group Started
• Get to know your classmates well before
asking them to join your study group – you
should be able to answer “yes” to each of
these questions:
– Is this classmate motivated to learn?
– Does the classmate understand the subject well?
– Is this classmate dependable?
– Would this classmate be tolerant of other ideas?
– Would you like to work with this classmate?

33. • Invite the correct number of classmates to your Study
group (the best number seems to be between 3-5
students per group)
• Decide how often and how long the Group will meet
each week (best is 2 or 3 times a weeks, and sessions
between 60 and 90 minutes)
• Decide where to meet (this location should be without
distractions)
• Decide on the goals of the Group (goals can include;
reviewing notes, discussing readings, and study for
exams)
• Decide on a leader for the group, and if the leader will
be the same or change each week
• Set an agenda for each meeting including specific
member assignments
• Develop a contact list for the members with all of their
contact information and provide to each member.

34. Characteristics of a Successful Study Group
• Each group member contributes
• Group members actively listen without interrupting each other
• Group members work together to resolve any problems arising
without the group
• Members are prompt and come ready to work
• The group stay on task according to the agenda
• Members always show each other respect
• Members should feel comfortable with constructive criticisms
• Members should feel free to ask questions
• At the end of each meeting, an agenda is set with assignments for
the next meeting
• Above all, a positive attitude that “we can do this together” is
maintained

35. Possible Pitfalls of a Study Group
• Do not let the Study Group get
distraction from the agenda
• Do not let the Study Group
become a social group
• Do not allow members to
attend unprepared
• Do not let negativity slip into
the group
• Do not let one or two
members dominate the group